David Maus Volkswagen South

When Should You Change the Timing Belt in Your Volkswagen?

Changing the timing belt in your Volkswagen is a very crucial part of the maintenance of your automobile. Unfortunately, this step is sometimes done too late when the owner of a car does not respect the periodicity of verification and change recommended by the manufacturer. This replacement is also an operation reserved for experienced mechanics.

What Type of Belt Is Used?

Fortunately, Volkswagen uses the next generation of lubricated belts, available in particular on newer engines. Remember, if you are going to try to save money on this expense: do not take the subject lightly. Generally, the changing of the timing belt will be done at the same time of a standard checkup of your car. Indeed, if the belt jumps a notch or breaks, it can not ensure the synchronization of the various organs that it drives (camshafts, water pump for the majority of engines, injection pump pulley for diesel, etc.).

What Happens if it Degragdes?

In the best case of a deteriorated timing belt, the engine will have trouble starting or will undergo a chaotic operation. A timing belt replacement is undoubtedly one of the most expensive activities among those scheduled in the maintenance book. Temperature differences and climatic conditions also play a role in the wear and tear of the timing belt.

How Is the Replacement Performed?

Experienced mechanics will make sure that the motor is locked in a specific position during disassembly so that all the elements are in the right place after changing the timing belt. Note: If the belt is too relaxed, it can shift while driving. Also, compared to a timing chain, a belt is lighter and more compact.

Seals that no longer perform their function correctly and lets oil flow on the belt can also be a cause of damage. Also, in case of water pump failure, you would have to change the timing belt, because it is strictly forbidden to assemble and disassemble a timing belt. In the absence of any wear indicator or visual control, it is necessary to refer to your service book.

Another problem that may impact the timing belt is a leakage of the crankshaft and camshaft seal. Oil oozing out may also destroy the rubber in the belt and cause the pulleys and rollers to overheat. If the belt breaks, the low engine and the high engine are no longer coordinated.

If the surface is visibly damaged, it is time to replace it. Also, changing only the belt is not enough because often the parts that ensure its functioning are also to be restored. The timing belt sometimes also drives the water pump.

A timing belt must also be correctly adjusted because, when the valves open, they graze very, very close to the pistons. Therefore, determine the right time to change your belt by checking the periodicity of the maintenance to be carried out in the automotive technical journal or the vehicle's operation manual. Remember, the timing belt is one of the essential components of the engine, and also one of the most fragile.

The timing belt is critical, especially on cars that make many short trips. The timing belt is the link between the crankshaft, injection pump, water pump (more and more often), and the camshaft(s) controlling the intake and exhaust valves. The replacement of the belt is based on a pair of criteria that are independent of each other.

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These criteria are miles traveled (between 60,000 and 100,000 miles), and the age of the belt (between five and seven years). It is necessary to make the change when one of the two variables is reached. Remember, a timing belt drives the crankshaft, the camshaft, the injection pump for diesel engines, and the water pump on certain vehicles. Also, you ought to converse with the staff at David Maus VW South to learn more about timing belts.